First Kiss

Today she gave me my first kiss...ever...almost two years after we became mother and daughter.  It came as many of her "firsts" have...suddenly, unexpectedly, blink and you miss it.  It gave me hope for other "firsts" we have yet to see and hear.  Interestingly, she kissed my cheek while holding the little white dress her foster mother had her dressed in the day she became ours forever. Makes me wonder what she remembers...hopefully someday she will be able to tell me...another "first".  But today, she gave me my first kiss.

Making Beautiful Music Together

My youngest two are only 2 1/2 months apart in age, but years apart developmentally.  However, one thing they have in common is their love of music.  Nathaniel has been asking for piano lessons for quite some time, and loves to "play" on our piano and makes up lyrics to songs that usually include "don't lie or you will die" and "Jesus lives forever".  Whenever Sophia hears him composing  on the piano, she runs over and stands next to him, waiting for someone to put her up on the bench with him.  One of my favorite photos of her from Taiwan was one where she was sitting on the piano bench watching her teenage foster sister play.  Maybe, someday, Sophia will find her voice through music.   Meanwhile, Nathaniel is very happy to share his.

I'm not sure what he was doing here, but he looks so protective of her, so I had to share it!

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

With his favorite candy...a gift from his grandparents

Today marks 17 years since our oldest son Jonathan was born.  We didn't meet him until he was almost 7 years old, but we will forever be grateful that his birthmother chose life for her son.  While some might say that life dealt Jonathan a lousy hand, we know that God was in control of his life from the moment he was conceived.  Our prayer for Jonathan is that he will understand God's purpose for all that has happened in his life, and that, ultimately, Jonathan will give God the glory for ALL of it.

We are keenly aware that we only have a couple of years more to instill in Jonathan the values and morals that we want him to learn, as, Lord willing, he will graduate from high school in 2013 and move on to what God has for him in the future.  We pray that this new year of life will bring profound direction to Jonathan's life and that he will allow God to direct his every path.

We love you, Jonathan David Fisher!

Happy 14th Birthday, Sabastian!

Today is an extra special day in our house...not only is it Sabastian's 14th birthday, but ten years ago today, we met Sabastian and Jonathan for the very first time!  It's hard to believe that the rambunctious four year old who changed our lives forever ten years ago is now a handsome young man of 14.  Where has the time gone?

Sabastian has been great with Sophia from the very beginning...I think she finds him handsome, too!

Sabastian is great with all the younger kids, when he wants to be!

This is an early photo when Sabastian was earning Sophia's trust and adoration!

And this is the fruit of his labor all these months later!!

We love you Sabastian James Fisher!!!!

I'm Baaaack!

It's been four months since I took a break from blogging on this family blog.  I guess it's time to catch everyone up on our family's happenings.  Here's the bulleted version:

• The end of May Benjamin graduated from Kindergarten, and I finished my second year of teaching K5 at Blue Mountain Christian School.

• On June 9, Dave and I left for Taiwan to adopt our daughter, Sophia Elizabeth Chia-Lin Fisher!  After almost three years of waiting and praying, we finally met our daughter and began a new chapter in her life and ours!  (You can catch up on all those happenings at my other blog, Our Silk Road.)

• Since March, Dave had been commuting to Indiana for a new job.  We were scheduled to move there the end of July in order for our older boys to begin school.  Two weeks before our move, we found out that Dave's company changed their mind--we weren't moving after all!  Time to unpack the boxes and resettle in our Jonestown home!
• Due to the impending move, we didn't really take any vacation time this summer as a family.  Hopefully we will get around to that next year...I could use a vacation after this crazy year!
• The end of August brought Hurricane Irene and the beginning of the school year.  This year Jonathan is a Junior at the Northern Lebanon High School and is studying carpentry at the Lebanon Career and Technology Center.  Sabastian is in 8th grade at Blue Mountain Christian School and enjoying being back with his friends.  Benjamin is being homeschooled by Yours Truly for 1st grade...we are having a blast!  Nathaniel and Sophia, both 3 1/2 years old, are along for the ride.  My days are full!

I'm sure I've forgotten something in the craziness of the last four months, but there's a synopsis to catch everyone up!  I will attempt to post some fun photos from the summer soon...Happy Fall, Ya'll!!

Adoption Break

I will be taking a break from this blog for a couple of months in anticipation of our upcoming adoption.  Stay current with all of our adoption news at http://www.oursilkroad.blogspot.com/.  I'll return to blogging about our family's antics once our family is complete!

Big News on the Adoption Blog!

Check it out HERE!

Adoption Donation Opportunity

Up until now, we have not had any way to offer a tax deductible receipt to anyone who wished to make a donation to our adoption fund.  However, for the next month or so, our church is taking up a special offering for our travel expenses--the final amount needed to bring Sophia home--and is willing to add any additional gifts that might come from people outside the church.  The church will then issue you a receipt.  If you would like more information on how to do this, please e-mail me at tfisher83@myexcel.com.  You can follow our fundraising progress on the sidebar of our adoption blog...thanks!

These Days

These days I am a single parent as Dave learns the ropes to his new job in Indiana.  It will be like this until we move...two weeks away, a weekend home.  All four boys have done a pretty good job of adjusting thus far, but I think it will get old for all of us very soon.  However, this is what we are called to do at this point, so we do it.  I am again reminded that God gives us the strength to do what we need to do when we need to do it.  And I am grateful.

This coming Wednesday is our first court date in Taiwan.  A judge will be hearing our case and subsequently deciding whether or not we can proceed with the adoption of our daughter.  Please pray that all goes quickly and smoothly and that we are not required to jump through any more hoops.  I'm too tired to jump very high...

I've been mulling over the story of Samson this past week as I have taught it to my kindergarten class.  Samson was set apart by God for His service before he was even born.  He was given superhuman strength and really could do anything when God's Spirit was upon him.  However, he chose to follow the lust of the flesh and the desires of his heart instead of God's.  This resulted in his demise.  I was reminded that when we choose to sin, we are choosing the consequences that go with that sin.  Samson could have done so much more for God.  I wonder how much of my own fleshly desires have gotten in the way of what God would have liked for me to accomplish in my own life.  Oh, to be like HIM and not me!

These days, God is stretching me and our family, but still showing His faithfulness and goodness in so many ways.  I will choose to thank Him in the midst of it all.  (Just remind me that I said that when it gets old, okay?)

:)

Happy (Very Belated!) New Year!

Wow!  Where has the month of January gone?  The first month of 2011 is almost history, and I haven't posted one thing on this lonely, little blog.  I really must do better when we move to Indiana this summer.  That will be one of my new year's resolutions, I guess!

Yes, we are moving to Indiana.  Dave was given a promotion at work (Good job, Honey!) and with it came a transfer to the Evansville, Indiana, area.  I'm excited about it on most days, but it's also the biggest move we have ever made as a family, so it's quite daunting.  Thank the Lord for the internet, where we can research housing and schools before actually setting foot in the area.  We are praying for direction and wisdom in all aspects of this big change for our family.

Today we got our first court date for Sophia's adoption:  March 24.  I wish it were sooner, but I'm glad to have a date.  Hopefully that will still put our travel sometime in May or June, as we are hoping to move in June, provided Sophia is home by then.  Lots of unknowns, but since I can't do anything about any of it, I'm choosing to commit it to God and leave it in His capable hands!

Thanks for following along in our little corner of the internet...I promise more faithful blog posts as we move forward with our move!

Happy Birthday, Sophia!

Today is our daughter's third birthday.  Unfortunately, we are not with her on this special day, but we know she is being well cared for by a foster family who loves her very much.  We are still in need of over $6000 to make the trip to Taiwan to bring her home.  Please continue to pray that this need would be met, and check out our adoption blog for ways you can help support us on our journey...perhaps you would even consider a donation in honor of Sophia's birthday!

We love you, Sophia!

Dossier Update

I'm happy to post that our dossier was mailed last week to our agency, and hopefully is on its way to its final certification here in the U.S. before being mailed to Taiwan!  Now we focus on our last monetary need of $7000 for our travel expenses.  God is able!

Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars

...is all that stands between our dossier leaving our house and arriving in Taiwan. Two thousand three hundred dollars. It's not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things, but it's more than we have sitting un-earmarked in our bank account. Could you please pray with us this week that God will show us His will regarding this last bit of money that we need? We could use credit, but we committed at the beginning of our adoption process to not do that if at all possible. We have decided to wait and pray until next Monday, November 1, before making any decisions. Thanks!

Finally!

Check out our adoption blog for some really great news!

Getting Closer...

I just wanted to remind everyone about our name doily adoption fundraiser, as Christmas is getting closer, and perhaps you would like to order a name doily as a unique gift and at the same time, help us meet our orphanage fee goal!  We also have our Forever Family cookbooks available for $15--these have received rave reviews from everyone who has used them!  Lastly, we have a limited amount of beautiful hand painted Chinese glass ball ornaments available for $20.

They come in their own special Chinese box and are also great for gift giving.  Any one of these items would bring us closer to our orphanage fee goal which we hope to have to pay soon!  If we can help you check off some gifts on your list, leave a comment, and I'll get you the information you need...thanks!

Handmade Doilies by Brenda - New Adoption Fundraiser!

Are you looking for a unique, handmade gift for that special occasion coming up? Well I have just the idea for you, and I can bet that no one else will give the same gift! My mother-in-law, Brenda, makes beautiful, handmade, crocheted name doilies. She is offering her talents as a fundraiser to help us bring Sophia home from Taiwan.


Now for the details...these unique doilies are available in white or ecru/tan, horizontal or vertical, with a lacy shell or pointed edge border. They are beautiful matted and framed, or as a pillow top, and are usually ready in 1-4 weeks. They make great holiday, graduation, wedding, birthday, teacher or baby shower gifts and are excellent for first and/or last names, nicknames, slogans or favorite sports teams. The doilies cost $25 for up to 5 letters and $3 for each additional letter. You choose the color, edging, and of course, the personalization. This is a fundraiser for our little Sophia with a minimum of $10 per doily being donated to Sophia’s adoption...and you get a unique, personalized keepsake for yourself or to give as a gift!

We are taking orders on a first-come, first-served basis, so get your holiday orders in as soon as possible! To place an order, e-mail me at tfisher83@myexcel.com with your desired color, edging, and personalization. I will then send you an invoice via Paypal. As soon as I receive your payment, your order will be processed and filled! (For those orders requiring shipping, an additional charge of $5.00 will be added to cover priority shipping costs.) Please help us pass the word around about this fundraiser, and thanks for supporting our family and helping us bring our daughter home from Taiwan!

Grandmom's Pound Cake

Grandmom Christian's pound cake was a staple in her house growing up.  And because we lived overseas, when we were home, it was a really special treat.  I grew up hearing how ornery the cake was, because sometimes it didn't turn out as a pound cake--but as a ten pound cake--way too heavy and a waste of precious ingredients.  I have always been a little afraid of trying it, but I just got a hankering for it and, after calling Grandmom and getting some last minute advice, I tried baking it today for the very first time.  And, I'm proud to announce...IT TURNED OUT BEAUTIFULLY!  

just out of the pan

ready to be eaten...yum!

If you would like this recipe, it's in our Forever Family cookbook that we are selling as an adoption fundraiser...check it out here!

The Blind Side

We just finished watching this movie...yes, we are behind the times.  I'm almost at a loss as to what to write about it because it impressed me so much.  Having adopted two children out of foster care and away from a life not too unlike what the movie portrays about the "projects", this movie really hit home.  The "what if's" don't come to mind all too often any more, but after watching this movie, I can't help but wonder...what if our boys had not come into our lives when they did...where would they be now?  Of course there's no need to wonder, really, because God had His hand on their lives from the very beginning and brought them into our family in His perfect time.  But humanly speaking, I do wonder sometimes.  I also wonder what our boys, especially our oldest, thought about the scene in the movie where Michael remembers being taken from his birthmom by protective services.  This happened to our boys, and it breaks my heart to think about what was going through the minds of a two year old and a four year old being torn from the only life they had ever known...albeit, not a healthy one.  It will definitely be cause for discussion at a later time!  This movie touches on so many themes that our family can relate to...football, interracial adoption/foster care, education, family life.  (Here's a great review from a Christian perspective.)  If you haven't seen it, give it a try...if you have, what are your thoughts on it?

Will You Be My Roomie?

We have been working on some rearranging of room assignments at our home this summer in anticipation of Sophia's arrival.  The first big change occurred a week ago when Nathaniel moved into Benjamin's room and the two little boys became roommates!  Benjamin moved to the top bunk and Nathaniel now occupies the bottom bunk, so both kiddos have had some adjustments to make.  Dave thought it would take a week to adjust, but Nathaniel is still enjoying his new found freedom of getting out of bed, turning on the light, and climbing up to join Benjamin at least once a night.  Both boys are getting less sleep than they were used to, but maybe that's not a bad thing.  I'm sure eventually they will settle down...just in time for a new schedule when school starts!

Benjamin's room is painted bright yellow with other primary colors as accents, so we decided to repurpose Nathaniel's old changing table/dresser by painting it red and using it as his permanent dresser.  Last week, while Sabastian was camp, Jonathan helped me sand it down, and I painted it.  We started with spray paint, which Dave applied, but that didn't work too well.  But the final effect is pretty cool...almost looks distressed without being distressed...people pay big bucks for that!  You can see the process and final product in the photos below...

This is what the finish looked like before it was sanded

Jonathan hard at work sanding the drawers...he did an awesome job!

The main piece after being sanded...the brown that remains added to the distressed look in the end!

Dave surveying his spray painting...and not liking what he was seeing!

The final product...doesn't it look cool against that yellow wall?

Nathaniel likes it!

The next step in the room switcheroo is to move the remainder of my craft stuff upstairs to our guest bedroom/back room.  It used to be up there originally, then I moved to the basement, and now I'm moving back up...go figure!  Before I move completely I am painting that room, so currently I have four shades of blue on the wall in an attempt to decide what color I want in there.  Hopefully I'll get that painted with the help of a friend, and then I can move the remainder of my stuff up and get settled again.  That will open up the downstairs area outside of the younger kids' rooms as a playroom, which will be nice.  There will be lots of space for a play kitchen area which I can't wait to have for Sophia and her brothers to use!

The final project is Sophia's room.  I'm SO excited to be decorating a little girl's room finally.  Of course, it will be pink, with brown as the accent color.  I already have a lot of decorations picked out or made.  I'm enjoying collecting items from Etsy and other places, and also making and repurposing items.  I am going to paint the crib white and turn it into a toddler bed (hopefully...we can't find the directions!) and paint a current dresser that we have white and give it some new knobs.  I have already spray painted a grapevine wreath white and have pink and brown ribbon to decorate it with, and I have fabric that will be incorporated into a quilt for her bed.  Little sparrow birdies and plum/cherry blossoms are going to be the motif.  It's going to look really cool!  I'll show photos as I go along...I'm very excited, but need to get the other projects done first!

So, there you have it.  The summer is a good time to do all this movin' and groovin' indoors, especially on days like today when it's a bloomin' 100 degrees outside in the shade!  I hope you're keeping cool in your little corner of the world!

Adoption Update

It is July already...hard to believe that half of 2010 is in the history books!  By the end of this month, we are hoping to have a HUGE milestone completed toward our adoption of Sophia...our referral dossier in Taiwan awaiting our court date!  God allowed us to complete all of the paperwork on our end in record time during the month of June, but we are still waiting for some legal paperwork to come from Taiwan.  When that arrives, we sign, date, notarize, and state authenticate everything--and then it can be out of our hands and on its way to Taiwan!  There is only one thing that can slow that down at this point...when we send our dossier back to Taiwan, the orphange fee needs to go with it.  Right now we are still needing about $3000 to cover that expense.  We know God is able to provide, and will provide in His time.  Would you like to play a part in ransoming a child from a life as an orphan?  Help us bring Sophia home

HERE!